Portable body-supporting assemblage



July 3, 1951 H. A. ALMOSLINO 2,558,722

PORTABLE BODY-SUPPORTING ASSEMBLAGE Filed June 27, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet lIi .{M Inventor HANS ARNOLD YALMOSLINO July 3, 1951 H. A. ALMOSLINO2,558,722 PORTABLE BODY-SUPPORTING ASSEMBLAGE Filed June 27, 1949 2Sheets-Sheet 2 r IHHI llllmm Inventor:

j HANS ARNOLD ALMOSLINO AGENT Patented July 3, 1951 PORTABLE BODY-SUPPORTING AS SEMBLAGE Hans Arnold Almoslino, Hollis, N. Y.

Application June 27, 1949, Serial No. 101,596

7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in portable body-supportingassemblages, being an elaboration of the assemblages disclosed in myapplications filed respectively on October 20, 1948,

Serial No. 55,590, now abandoned, and April 19,

thus permitting of the use of a back rest which 1949, Serial No, 88,476.

In the earlier disclosed forms of the assemblages an intermediate zoneof the length of the units provides the surface which contacts the flooror other supporting surface, the end zones of the units then beingcarried upwardly, with the ends then connected by releasableconnections, the units thus having a concave relation to the supportingsurface. Since the textile bodysecuring structure is supported by suchend zones between adjacent units, the connections for the opposite endsof a section serve to preserve the facial contact of the mating faces ofthe connected sections with the weight of the occupant aiding in thisrespect. In addition, such connections can serve as arm supports for theoccupant, where the assemblage is of chair form, or as a confiningstructure where the assemblage is of crib form. Such unit can be givenvaried configurations through the angularity of the mating faces of thesections, so that the direction of length of a unit may include straightline zones and curved zones, or, as in the case of rocking chairstructures, may be substantially of curved form.

The present invention is designed to increase the range of usefulness ofsuch units by varying certain of the characteristics of the assemblages,thereby increasing the number of styles in which the assemblages may beformed. For instance, instead of supporting the textile structure fromthe end zones of the units, such textile element is supported by anintermediate zone of the units, with the end zones forming footstructures for the assemblage. In other words, the assemblage isreversed with respect to the supporting surface, by changing therelation from the concave form of the earlier disclosures to that of aconvex relationship. In such change, the end connections are used, asbefore, but in the present invention the end connections are positionedclose to the supporting surface, and thus below the position of theoccupant. As a result, the intermediate zone of the unit becomes the armrest zone of the assemblage, with the ends contacting the supportingsurface as feet for the assemblage. The structure is thus less conduciveto rocking chair service, but gives to the assemblage a closer approachto the leg and foot style of furniture assemblage, necessarily absent inthe assemblages of the earlier disclosures.

Another advantage resulting from the present invention is the ability toprovide a chair form with a back rest capable of being folded into aposition in which it can be rolled up with the assemblage for storageortransportation,

2 I convex shaped unit construction is particularly adapted to theformation of chair assemblages, the curvature and position of theintermediate zone of the unit in this shape permits the use of theseating method of supporting the body,

can be anchored in block sections of the connected units.

Another of the advantages presented by the present form is the fact thatthe convex unit formation has the characteristics of a span of archedtype, thus placing the weight of the occupant as practically suspendedwithin the arch, thus greatly increasing the stability of the assembly,since the weight is being supported directly by the unit span. In theearlier disclosed forms, the stability is provided by the integrity ofthe connections between the unit end zones in preventing spreading ofsuch zones, so that the weight of the occupant must be considered inproviding suchconnections. In the present form, the connections are usedonly to prevent spreading of the end zones of the unit, with therestraint aided by the contact of the ends of the unit with thesupporting surface in producing the foot characteristic, the weightfactor being an aid in increasing the friction value of .the contactingfeet.

The sectional formation of a unit is generally similar to thosepresented in the earlier disclosures, each section being a block havingits opposite mating faces complemental to such faces of adjacent blocks,the succession of blocks being connected together by the use of suitablemeans which extends throughout the length of the unit and is located inthe marginal zone of the unit which forms the outer side of the curvedunit. In the earlier disclosed forms of concave type, the marginal zoneis the under zone of the unit, while in the present convex type themarginal zone is the upper or outer zone of the unit. The sectionconnection may be an external flexible band secured to the outer facesof the blocks, as in the first of the earlier disclosures, or may be inthe form of spaced cables extending through the blocks adjacent suchouter block .face and thus wl'thin the marginal zone. Either formpermits the unit to be inverted when it is desired to roll up theassemblage for storage or transportation purposes.

The mating faces of a block are generally planar, but may include akeying formation such as a projection or recess. The planarcharacteristic is presented through a face which is angular to thegeneral plane of the block marginal zone referred to. If the block formsa section of Q slightly less of a right angle, thus providing for thedesired curvature. In some instances the angle may, if desired, beslightly more than 90.

To these and other ends, therefore, the nature of which will be moreclearly understood as the invention is hereinafter disclosed, saidinvention consists in the improved constructions and combinations ofparts more particularly described hereinafter, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference charactersindicate similar parts in each of the views- Figure 1 is a fragmentaryperspective view of form one of the units employed in practicing theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a pair of connected blocks employed inconstructing a different form of unit.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of one form of assemblage formed inaccordance with the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a different form of assemblage.

Fig. 5 is a view in rear elevation of the structure of Fig. 4, the backrest being shown in service position.

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the back rest folded preliminary topreparing the assemblage for storage or transportation.

Fig. '7 is a detail perspective view of the back rest supportingconnection. 7

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the assemblage shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a composite detail perspective view showing the end zone ofthe back rest and its support and the cooperating block section by whichthe support is carried, the two parts being shown as separated.

As above pointed out, the present invention utilizes many of thefeatures disclosed in the two earlier applications above identified, theprincial distinction being in the manner of their use. For instance, inthe earlier disclosures, the unit formations were so arranged as to setup the characteristics of a supporting formation formed concave withrespect to the ground or other surface on which the assemblage is beingsupported in service. In the present invention the supporting or framingformation has its units arranged so as to present the formation as ofconvex type relative to such supporting surface, in that, in the presentinvention the ends of the units provide the contact with such supportingsurface while in the earlier disclosures the unit contact with thesupporting surface is found in an intermediate zone of the length of theunit with the end zones extending upwardly from such supporting zone.

This distinction in the arrangement of the units as to the relation ofthe unit to the supporting surface, sets up certain variations in thecharacteristics of the manner in which the assemblage is madeserviceable. For instance, in the earlier forms, the concave type, theassemblage in service depends mainly upon the elements which connect theupstanding end zones of the units, and which must be taut to maintainthe units in their desired formation. The supporting structure for theoccupant is connected with such end zones, but is generally not tautexcepting when the weight of the occupant is present. Hence, theassemblage takes on somewhat of the characteristics of a suspension strcture, since both the elements and the weight are being made active onthe end zones to maintain their spacing, and thereby maintain the matingfaces in contact. With the form disclosed herein, the convex type, theend zones are connected by elements, as before, but the elementsthemselves are adjacent the supporting surface and the ends of the unitsare in contact engagement with such supporting surface. In this type,the supporting structure for the occupant is supported at intermediatepoints in the length of the unit. As a result, the contact engagement ofthe ends of the unit tends to fix the position of the ends and thus aidsthe connecting elements, while the weight of the occupant, being appliedat intermediate points, tends to preserve the contact engagement and atthe same time applies weight upon the blocks located between the unitends and the supporting point, to thereby maintain the mating faces incontact within the upstanding portions of the unit length.

Each of the types presents certain advantages, due to the type itself.For instance, the earlier type is best adapted for use where theoccupancy involves reclining; the concave arrangement is especiallyuseful under these conditions, due to the ability to provide any neededunit length without materially affecting the height of the assemblage inservice so that the necessary spacing of the end zones to enable theproper length of occupant supporting structure can be readily secured.On the other hand, the present type is more suitable for a seatedoccupant, the latter requiring a materially shorter length of supportingsurface, so that in mounting the ends of such surface, the ends arelocated at intermediate points in the length of the unit.

The unit shown in Fig. 1 is made up of a sucsession of blocks l5 ofproper dimensions, these being supported in a succession series by aflexible strip I6 having a length equal to the length of the unit,similar faces of the blocks being fixedly secured to a face of the stripwith adjacent blocks in contact within the marginal zone, the strip thuspermitting a hinge like action between adjacent blocks. The securedblocks each have a pair of mating faces, the faces between adja centblocks and indicated at l5a, extending generally angular to its securedface. If the unit is to extend in a straight line when in service, theincluded angle between the mating face and the securing face equalsWhereas if the unit is to extent in curved form in service, the includedangle is slightly less than such right angle. For the purpose ofillustration, Fig. 1 includes both types, zone a providing the straightline characteristic with the remainder of the blocks shown being of thetype for producing a curved length. In Fig. 3, the units are shown as ofthe curve producing type, but it is apparent that if a few of themid-zone blocks be of the zone a type, the top of the arch will includea straightline zone and such variation is contemplated within theinvention.

As indicated in Fig. 2, the unit may be formed with blocks of adifferent shape and secured together in a different manner. In this formthe strip 16 is designed to be substituted by a pair of cables ll, whichare threaded through the outer marginal zone of the blocks instead ofbeing applied on the surface as in the Fig. 1 form, the cables beingspaced apart, but with the blocks in contact within the cable zone ofthe mating faces of adjacent blocks. For illustration purposes, themating faces of the blocks are tion l5b opposing a recess 50 on adjacentmating faces, and these serve to reduce strain on the cables at suchmating faces. ,To provide strength, the outer face is of curved forminstead of the planar securing face of the Fig. 1 form, this permittingthe rolling up of the assemblage. Obviously, the projections I52) andrecesses I50 can be applied to the blocks of the Fig. 1 form, and theblocks of the Fig. 2 form may omit the projections and recesses thusleaving the mating faces as in the Fig. 1 form.

In producing the framing formation of the assemblage for either form ofunit, two or more of the units, having the block structures duplicatedto make the units alike, are arranged in parallel and spaced apartrelation, with corresponding blocks of a unit connected by connectionsH3 having their ends secured in the blocks. A suitable number of these,in spaced apart relation, are employed to give stability to the fram ingformation. Such a formation can be laid out fiat, as in Fig. i, fromwhich position it will be readily understood that the formation can bereadily rolled up with one of the ends forming the core and with thestrip as the inside portion of the rolled up formation, thus making theassemblage suitable for storage or transportation. On the other hand, ifthe intermediate zone of the formation be raised, the units will take onthe curved form shown in Fig. 3 through the fact that the adjacentmating faces are brought into contact. This is a service position of theframing formation, and to maintain it, the opposite end zones areconnected by suitable connections l9, preferably of strap, rope or cabletype which permits ready securing in position and removal when desired.For instance, the connections may have clips or other securing devicespermitting location on connections IB within the end zones.

In Figs. 3 and 8, the units are shown as curved throughout their length,the blocks having their mating faces at similar included angles lessthan a right angle, the angle selected being such as would provide acircle effect of considerable diameter. This is of advantage inconnection with the particular form of body support that is shown inthese views, a support 20 of considerable length cap-able of permittingreclining of children in a prone position. The support is preferably oftextile material with its ends provided with suitable disengageableclips 2| which can be detachably secured to a pair of spaced connectionsit. As shown, the head end of the support is shown as raised, and tosecure this the selected connection must be in an upper portion of thecurvature and, therefore, tends to limit the possible length of thesupport, the latter being located above a horizontal diameter of thecircle and, therefore, of less chordal length than the diameter,although the concave effect produced by the slack of the support mayactually cause the support length to equal or be greater than suchdiameter. Hence, in this form, the unit has its blocks of similarangularity and has a length greater than half the circumference of suchcircle to thus place the feet formed by the end blocks as spaced ashorter distance than the length of the diameter. This practicallyplaces the feet of the end zones as in approximate vertical alinementwith the lower end of support 28 (Fig. 8), an advantage in that it wouldpermit the occupant to sit on the lower end zone of the support withthe-lower leg zone easily contacting the floor. This showing is,

.of course, illustrative, since the connections [8 can be mounted in anyof the blocks so that it is possible to arrange the support 20 fordifferent kinds of service. For instance, if the support 20 shown hadthe connection [8 for the support head end positioned closer to thevertical apex of the positioned unit, but be of the length shown, theincreased slack would tend to produce a seat effect with a back, whenoccupied. It will be understood, of course, that connections iii areomitted for such intermediate zone of unit length as may lie above thesupport 20.

Figure 4 indicates a variation in the form of the frame formation fromthat shown in Fig. 3 described above, in that this structure is designedas of chair type in which the seat support extends approximatelyhorizontal, the portions of the units which provide the leg zones of theframe approaching a straight line effect. In this form, the curvature ofthe intermediate zone of the unit is controlled more or less by thefront to rear length of the seat which may be as desired. This curvatureis controlled by the angles of the mating faces, the latter alsocontrolling the straight line effect of the leg zones. In thisconnection, should it be desired to present the arm rest effect, whichthe unit intermediate zone provides, as of partial straight line typerather than the continuous curvature shown, the cen-. tral zone blocksof a unit would have blocks with mating faces of the right-angled typeor their equivalent.

One of the advantages of the present invention lies in the ability tofashion the assemblage with a definite back to give the chair effect,this being disclosed in Figs. 4' to 7 and Fig. 9. To provide thisresult, the supporting connection for the rear end of the seat 22 isvaried from the connections I8, being in the form of a connection 23,the ends 23a. of which are made non-circular in contour, square oroblong in cross-section. The pair of blocks which support thisconnection have a complemental mortise 24, this being positioned in theblock in such manner that the arms presently referred to will extend atthe desired angle when in upstanding position; the non-circular contourof the end connections will prevent the connection 23 from turning whenthe occupants back is resting on the chair back.

Since the invention contemplates foldability of the chair back when theassemblage is rolled up for storage or transportation, the back isformed of a pair of arms 25 having their lower ends pivotally connectedto connection 23 in such manner as to be capable of being moved inwardto a folded superposed position, as indicated in Fig. 6, the outer endsof the arms being connected by a web connection 26 which is foldablewhen the arms are being moved to folded position, or may be removablysecured in position by snap or other fastenings. The mountings for thepivotal movement of the arms into the superposed positions may be of anydesired form, a simple arrangement being to locate the pivot axis forone arm closer to the top of the connector than the axis of the otherarm.

While the arms fold inwardly toward each ofthe' bodyof the user to limitthe inward move-- ment of the arms and thus limit the amountof yieldpossible. In other words, the arrangement tends to provide a back restformation which will conform to the users body, but tends to pretentexecessive rearward pressure since such pressure Would cause the arms 25to exert pressure at the sides of the body to avoid which the rearwardpressure must be eased. If desired, removable braces similar to it couldbe positioned between the arms 25 to prevent inward movement of the armswhen in use. Of course, these braces would be removed when rolling upthe structure for carrying purposes.

As will be understood, either of the block formations shown in Figs. 1and 2 may be utilized in the formation of the unit. Blocks carrying theprojections and recess formation of Fig. 2 are particularly adaptablefor use in the present invention to prevent undue strain upon theelements 16 or ii, the arrangement being applied to the blocks of Fig. 1and is desirable although not necessarily essential when said form ofunit is being used in the present invention. Specific claims for theform of the block sections are not presented herein, these beingpresented in the application, Serial No. Sit/r76 above identified.

As will be understood, the particular dimensions and shape of theframing support units can be widely varied through the selection ofthe-angles being presented in the mating faces. These included anglesare usually not greater than a right angle and the extent of variationfrom the latter will tend to control the dimension charaoteristics ofthe arch, the greater the variation from a right angle the smallerbecomes the arch. This possibility enables the assemblage to be formedfor service to suit the character of service, as an occupant in proneposition requires a greater span dimension than a seated occupant; Inaddition, the inclusion of block sections of right angular mating facesor difierent angles of mating faces, permits variation in the contour ofthe units, thus enabling variations from a true arch form.

While I have shown and described several different forms of theinvention, it will be understood that changes and/or modificationstherein may be found desirable or essential in meeting the exigencies ofservice or the individual desires of a user. I, therefore, reserve theright to make any and all such changes and/or modifications so deemeddesirable or essential insofar as the same may fall within the spiritand scope of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims, whenbroadly construed.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In assemblages for supporting service, wherein the assemblage isserviceable for supporting activities but manipulable intotransportation and/or storage form, an assemblage of such typecomprising a pair of parallel units extending in spaced-apart relationwith the units connected by spaced connectors, each unit being formed ofa succession of sections connected in series with the sections formedwith mating faces arranged to produce a definite unit contour when themating faces are in contact and to permit rolling-up of the unit fortransportation or storage when the complete mating faces are out ofcontact, said mating faces being relatively formed to present the unitcontour as of convex type relative to the supporting surface on whichthe assemblage is positioned and with the ends of the unit positioned incontact with such supporting surface, the end zones of a unit beingconnected by detachable connecting means supported by connectors carriedby the end sections of the units to thereby maintain the units in theirframing support position and to locate the connecting means below thesupporting element.

2. An assemblage a in claim 1 characterized in that the sections of aunit are maintained in the series succession by connecting meansextending throughout the length of the unit and applied to theindividual sections in similar marginal zones of the latter with suchmarginal zones located on the outer marginal zone of the convex unitcontour.

3. An assemblage as in claim 1 characterized in that the length of aunit exceeds more than half the circumferential length of a circleconforming to the service contour of the unit, whereby the end sectionsof the unit are spaced a distance less than the length of a horizontaldiameter through the circle to thereby permit location of an end zone ofthe supporting element in position for convenient sitting posture of theoccupant.

4. An assemblage as in claim 1 characterized in that the supportingsurface is dimensioned for chair seat service, with the inner end of theseat supported by a connector carrying a collapsible back-restformation.

5. An assemblage as in claim 4 characterized in that the connector ismounted non-rotatively in its unit section, such connector carrying apair of arms pivotally mounted thereon for folding into superposedrelation, the free ends of the arms having a webbing connection activeas a back rest when the assemblage is in service position.

6. An assemblage as in claim 5 characterized in that the connector isformed with end tenons of non-circular contour with the framing unitsections formed with mortise contours complemental to the tenons, thecontour of the mortise being arranged to retain the arms againstrotative swinging when in predetermined service positions.

7. An assemblage as in claim 1 characterized in that the supportingsurface is dimensioned for chair seat service, with the inner end of theseat supported by a connector carrying a collapsible back-restformation, the connector being mounted non-rotatively in its unitsections, the connector having spaced pivot mountings for separate armsadapted to extend upwardly from the respective mountings when in serviceposition and to be moved pivotally to a superposing relation wheninactive, the outer end zones of the arms bearing a webbing connectionto form a back rest when the arms are in service position.

HANS ARNOLD ALMOSLINO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

